How loneliness could be killing productivity in your business - Hays Journal Viewpoint careers advice blog

How loneliness could be killing productivity in your business - Hays Journal While we have more ways than ever to connect with each other, workplace loneliness is a daily struggle for many employees. In fact, a study by Future Workplaces found that managers and employees spend nearly half of their day communicating via technology, not in person. In the latest Hays Journal, we consider how organisations can work with staff to ensure nobody feels isolated. Feeling as though you ‘belong’ is one of our most basic, primitive needs, yet the onset of the digital age has made it easier than ever for employees to hide behind their computer screens and use email as their primary form of communication. But is this making us feel lonely and more detached than ever before? Professor Sigal Barsade from The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, says that people can be just as lonely in an office, surrounded by colleagues, as they can working from home five days a week. “Loneliness is a self-constructed assessment that an individual makes, based on their own psychological and social needs,” she notes. Barsade, co-author of the report Workplace Loneliness and Job Performance (a study of 672 employees and 114 supervisors, published in December 2018), says that loneliness isn’t related to age or gender but depends largely on someone’s outlook or perspective. Furthermore, an employee doesn’t need to have a large group of colleagues to connect with to prevent them from feeling lonely. Just one co-worker who they have a good bond with could be enough to stave off loneliness. Why loneliness impacts performance, innovation and productivity One of the main issues, however, is that loneliness was found to be what Barsade describes as “self-reinforcing,” that is, it can become the norm and can make people become sensitive, distrustful and socially inept. “The paradox is that people who are lonely are often the ones who seem the most aloof and least likely to reach out to others,” she says. Crucially, this sense of loneliness and detachment has a direct impact on performance, engagement and  wellbeing. “The greater the sense of loneliness, the lower the performance and the more likely the employee is to take time off sick,” says Barsade. “The results also show that co-workers can recognise this loneliness and see it  hindering team effectiveness.” Loneliness, says Angela O’Connor, CEO of consultancy The HR Lounge, is a major issue for many workers. “Detachment has an impact, not only on performance but also on confidence, leading to reductions in engagement and performance. It can also  lead to increases in turnover where staff seek more  meaningful work.” If you are seeing higher turnover, less engagement, less innovation and less productivity, you may have a detachment problem, says O’Connor. Understanding and identifying loneliness at work She explains that simply understanding loneliness at work can be a significant issue for many employers, yet is one of the first steps in overcoming it. “Just having one good-quality connection with one colleague or your manager can keep loneliness at bay, but they need to have the right working environment and company culture to foster this,” she notes. Ensuring remote workers and home workers come into the office once a week and are kept up to date with everything that’s going on is also important. Loneliness is not an individual problem, it’s an organisational problem Ultimately, HR professionals need to recognise that loneliness is not an individual problem. “They should consider it to be an organisational problem that needs to be addressed, both for the employees’ sake and that of the organisation,” says Barsade. But how can employers spot loneliness issues in their business? David Price, CEO of wellbeing provider Health Assured, says: “Managers may notice that an employee’s productivity is down, or that certain members of staff are reserved and are not taking part in both social and work-related conversations and activities. There may also be instances when the employee is rude to their colleagues or members of the public, or starts to get a bad reputation among their co-workers.” How changing work patterns are impacting loneliness While the study by Barsade established that workers in an office could be just as susceptible to loneliness, the change in our working habits, with more than two million people in the UK now working remotely, is also a  significant contributing factor. Brian Hall, Chief Operating Officer at health and wellbeing provider BHSF, says the option to work from home is one of the most highly valued employee benefits and can be the defining factor when it comes to staying with an organisation. “There are many advantages to working from home: avoiding a lengthy or stressful commute, the flexibility to work around other commitments, plus the peace and quiet to concentrate on an important task,” he acknowledges. “But spending long periods of time alone can cause feelings of isolation and loneliness.” Humans are social creatures and although we might enjoy working from home for periods of time, we also need regular interaction, Hall says. “In our recent survey of home workers, we asked them how working from home made them feel. The most frequent responses were ‘free’ and ‘in control’, but about a quarter also reported feeling ‘isolated’, ‘remote’ and ‘lonely’. While many people appreciate being able to manage their work in a way that fits in with their life, there is also a need to feel part of a team and connected to others.” Remote working challenges So how can organisations help those working remotely? Firstly, says Barsade, they must recognise that loneliness exists and is a real issue for those operating outside the office. “HR professionals need to realise that they have to pay attention to this and that it’s not just the employee’s problem,” she explains. She adds that organisational culture is a significant contributing factor, and that organisations need to look at ways of adopting a more inclusive, emotional and cognitive culture that endorses and promotes ‘companionate love’ â€" affectionate, caring relationships between co-workers. This can be fostered by small gestures, she explains. “It’s the five-minute morning chat you have with someone, for instance. It serves as a buffer to loneliness and brings people together.” Finding the cause of workplace loneliness Of course, it’s not just changes to where we work that can have an effect. Josh Graff, UK Country Manager VP EMEA at LinkedIn, says that being constantly connected can make it harder for us to switch off. “LinkedIn’s research among 2,000 UK adults showed that, even while on holiday, a quarter of Brits were unable to relax without checking emails on their smartphone,” Graff says. “This is why many companies now have a greater focus on improving their employees’ wellbeing.” Robert Hicks, Group HR Director of employee engagement company Reward Gateway, says it can be more natural for younger workers to feel part of an online community than other colleagues. “I think the younger generations are fully switched on, the ‘always-connected generation’. They see online as their home, so working remotely will not be different for them,” he notes. “They grew up creating teams and groups who play video games together, and so are used to talking, planning and connecting without being together in person. “For folks like me, we did not have that, but we all use Skype, Hangouts or even WhatsApp to talk and video call, and as that increases, so will our understanding of how we can engage these workers more effectively.   We are all on the same path, using the same tools in work, and that it is pretty amazing.” Why different generations have different workplace needs But Price says that, although younger workers may be more familiar and comfortable with the online virtual world, it could actually make them lonelier. “Some younger workers may use a virtual world as a way of escaping the real world, which can be the cause of increased loneliness. A workforce that is over-reliant on technology in the working environment can also miss out on developing key communication skills that other workers may have, such as how to have difficult conversations face to face, empathy and an ability to read body language,” he notes. This over-reliance on technology can ultimately lead workers to become disillusioned and lonely in their job through the lack of face-to-face interaction, he adds, so employers should try to ensure they have digital disconnects and time away from their screens. “While there is no legal obligation for companies to enforce a digital disconnect, it is advisable that steps are taken to encourage workers to come away from their computers and interact with colleagues. Examples of ways to encourage colleague interaction include holding meetings to discuss potential social activities that take into account diverse interests, having a public eating area so employees can socialise during breaks, and arranging the office so that it is more open.” The longer-term impacts of loneliness Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at mental health charity Mind, says loneliness and feeling isolated isn’t a mental health problem but can be a contributing factor. “Feeling lonely can contribute to developing things like anxiety and depression, while people living with mental health problems are more likely to feel lonely,” she notes. “If you’re feeling low or anxious, you might feel like withdrawing from those around you â€" such as your colleagues or manager â€" and it can be difficult to reach out to others, especially in a working environment.” Work has a huge impact on mental health, Mamo explains. “If, for example, there is a lack of internal communication or if staff are often required to work on their own, you can see why, when left unsupported, employees may experience a deterioration in their health and changes to their performance. That’s why it’s really important that employers take an active role in helping employees stay well and supporting staff when they need it â€" as well as looking after themselves.” Taking action on workplace loneliness Prioritising employee wellbeing is essential, Mamo adds. “By actively encouraging staff to talk â€" with other colleagues, line managers or their HR department â€" it can help mitigate risks of disconnect or isolation.” At Reward Gateway, for example, they hold meetings to bring everyone across the organisation together. Hicks says: “We run the ‘all hands meetings’ to bring everyone together, and we also record the meetings so that anyone who can’t attend can watch it later. It allows people to openly discuss concerns and any current issues they have.” So what can employers do to help tackle loneliness? To start with, they must create an inclusive and accepting working environment, says Donna Miller, European HR Director at car rental company Enterprise Holdings. “It’s about giving employees the freedom to make decisions about what works for them â€" whether it’s working in a busy team or in a quieter environment or  a  mix of the two,” she notes. Enterprise also tries to involve homeworkers, those who aren’t in the office every day and those with alternative work arrangements. “Our business support team is primarily comprised of homeworkers,” says Miller. “Though dispersed throughout the country, the team conducts meetings via Skype and training sessions are held via a connected online platform, so employees can see their colleagues as well as the facilitator.” It’s essentially about using technology to make people feel connected rather than disconnected, she adds. “We always try to invite remote workers to meetings on different days each week, to give every team member the opportunity to attend. We remind people that being considerate of colleagues and thinking of others is a deliberate act â€" you need to  remember to do it.” “Tackling loneliness means prioritising employees’ wellbeing,” Miller says. “We offer employee assistance programmes that provide additional support for employees who prefer to speak to someone not directly linked to their day-to-day work. We have set up internal outlets such as our charity, diversity and wellness committees, which encourage office-based employees to build connections and network with colleagues. These groups are extremely important, as they allow employees to get involved in something that matters to them, while meeting colleagues from different departments who share similar interests.” Ultimately, including people so they feel engaged and comfortable at work is a daily practice that requires conscious effort. “Like any practice, the more you reach out to people, the greater the rewards,” concludes Miller. Did you enjoy this blog? Here are some more  Hays Journal  17 blogs that you may be interested in: How voice search technology is changing the workplace Why a returnship programme could boost diversity in your business How you can get more from your middle managers Is a co-working space right for your organisation? Should your organisation be appointing internal influencers? How Boeing is building the future How mountaineering helps this CEO in his business Why becoming a mother has made McAfee’s CHRO more aware of prejudices Three reasons you need to build a digitally inclusive workplace

5 Signs Your Coworker Isnt Trustworthy (And How To Deal)

5 Signs Your Coworker Isn't Trustworthy (And How To Deal) Throughout everyday life, and at fill in as part ofa group, being around people that you can trust is fundamental. What's more, when trust isnt present inside an association, it can prompt ill will between partners, or among associates and the board, and an absence of confidence in an organization in general. What's more, toward the day's end, a considerable lot of us should work an occupation that we may not really like definitely. In any case, having even onecolleaguethat you esteem reliable can make any work experience substantially more enjoyable.While it might be simpler to think about a deceitful as someonewho is innately disgusting, this isnt frequently the case. A great deal of the time, a deceitful individual might not have malintent towards you, yet they may essentially be somebody in which you cant confide.And different occasions thatperson possibly somebody who is explicitly manipulative.If you battle with trust issues.Then youand need to know who you can and can't trust. Here are five signs that your collaborator isnt trustworthy.1. They cannot keep a secret.To be clear, an associate who is a windbag is unique in relation to one who is ordered to report unlawful or illegal action. In any case, it is significant and consummately, beneficial to have a work comrade, to examine business related issues, and life issues to a degree. On the off chance that a collaborator can't regard your solicitation for privacy when you unveil data, at that point it is a certain sign that they cannot be trusted.2. They need empathy.People who need compassion have either cognizant or oblivious dismissal for how their activities sway others. On the off chance that you have a colleague who doesn't reliably treat individuals with empathy, or just specifically does as such, at that point getting excessively near the person in question could become toxic.3. Theyre fickle.Its critical to have the option to be predictable in ones emotions and activities. What's more, the capaci ty to do as such, makes trust in all connections. A colleague who settles on choices without knowing why, and who never fully appears to be steady is likely somebody you cant trust.4. They anticipate their emotions onto you.If a colleague blames you for practices that they are blameworthy of themselves, at that point they are anticipating their sentiments onto you. Anticipated sentiments in the work environment can be an aggravation, best case scenario, and even under the least favorable conditions, an event that diverts from having the option to concentrate on your own efficiency and work goals.5. Theylie to themselves.When a collaborator can't confront reality of their activities, implying that they cannot see that practices like continually loosen on group assignments, for instance, harms others. It implies that their self-recognition doesnt line up with the real world. What's more, any individual who can't consider themselves responsible for their activities, isn't to be trusted .So how would you bargain? All things considered, the key is to concentrate on flammable practices and activities, and not on the individual. It might likewise be important to disassociate, which means no taking part in office tattle, no unveiling individual data, and no connections with the conniving party being referred to except if totally necessary.And if cooperations with a dishonest associate arrive at a point where your security or job inside a copmany feels bargained, it is a smart thought to carry the issue up with the board; much like in different everyday issues, dont attempt to fix or recuperate the practices of a deceitful collaborator.

RAF Eligibility Criteria 2017 How To Ace Enlistment

RAF Eligibility Criteria 2017 How To Ace Enlistment The Royal Air Force or RAF is an equivalent open door manager implying that no race, social, social, strict foundation is oppressed. It doesn't make a difference if an applicant is male, female, or gay. The RAF likes to enroll an assortment of people to guarantee that all vocations are loaded up with legitimate competitors from all foundations and training. There are still RAF enrollment qualification prerequisites that must be met for a contender to apply and prevail through preparing to an enrolled position. The beginning age for the RAF is 16 years old with parental assent. RAF Eligibility CriteriaMen and ladies can apply; in any case, certain jobs for battle, for example, the RAF Regiment are confined to men as it were. Concerning other RAF qualification rules, one must meet the age, wellness, and nationality/residency capabilities. For specific positions and positions inside the RAF scholarly necessities may apply. By and large, instruction prerequisites are limited to officials or applicants wanting to enter in an official position instead of experience cadet preparing from the most minimal conceivable position in the RAF. For those in a HM Forces Service position applications are handled just gently in an unexpected way. Nationality and Residency RequirementsAny competitor should have a British, Commonwealth or Dual citizenship for Britain. In the event that the nationality necessities are met, at that point the individual needs to demonstrate they were in the UK throughout the previous 5 years without any than 28 days for every annum spent outside of the UK. In the event that there is a solid explanation behind being out of the nation and supporting proof than an application might be affirmed however it is a one case at a time case situation.Fitness and MedicalEvery competitor must meet certain clinical necessities to travel through the application procedure. Stature and weight isn't generally explicit; be that as it may, certain occupations require a b ase tallness so as to play out the obligations. It is ideal to check your stature dependent on your likely arrangement in the RAF. Least and most extreme BMIs are set up for wellbeing and security reasons. BMI ranges should be inside 17 to 32 contingent upon sexual orientation and age. Any male 18 or more seasoned is required to be 18 to 32. An individual 16 years old must be inside 17 to 27.Part of the RAF qualification measures incorporates taking vision tests. There are least gauges to be met for uncorrected and revised visual perception dependent on the position an applicant will hold. For customary jobs +/ - 6 dioptres is required. Additionally visual impairment isn't acknowledged in specific jobs, yet doesn't dispense with an up-and-comer completely. These tests may happen at the Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO).The clinical staff in the RAF directing the clinical tests and wellness evaluation can choose a made to order premise if an individual can deal with the physical pre requisites of the activity and the preparation that is required. There is some space for contender to go without carefully being inside the extents expressed above for stature, weight, and visual perception. There are likewise sure conditions that could prohibit an individual from joining the RAF. The Royal Air Force doesn't accept each competitor should be a top competitor, yet in fit enough condition to deal with the circumstances that arise.Part of the wellness segment is a 2.4 km run that must be finished inside a specific time period. There are likewise press-ups and sit-ups required. Each age gathering and sexual orientation has a specific least that must be met regarding number and a greatest time admissible for the run. Depending on age guys must cause the spat 11.39 to 13.27 minutes, to do 15 to 20 press-ups and 20 to 35 sit-ups. Females have 13.54 to 15.53 minutes to finish the run, 5 to 10 press-ups, and 17 to 32 sit-ups. The age bunch is a scope of 16 to 54 for people. There are section models and afterward preparing finishing necessities. The RAF doesn't expect the best level until after training.Convictions, Bankruptcy and Criminal ChecksEven up-and-comers who have a conviction on their record may in any case meet the RAF qualification standards. Contingent upon the offense the individual might be kept out of certain help positions or held to a lower positioning. It will rely upon the circumstance and to what extent back the conviction happened. On the off chance that court procedures are as yet continuous forswearing is made for the application.Bankruptcy when un-released makes a competitor ineligible for RAF enlistment. Moreover, certain positions may require a criminal records authority freedom before acknowledgment. This section was posted in Armed Forces, Eligibility Criteria. Bookmark the permalink. Joshua Brown Paramedic Eligibility CriteriaFirefighter Eligibility Criteria: PQAs and different Essentials

Expert Advice on Creating an Online Marketing Strategy

Master Advice on Creating an Online Marketing Strategy Master Advice on Creating an Online Marketing Strategy Master Advice on Creating an Online Marketing Strategy Blaszczyk, Managing Editor, Resource Center By what method can your independent venture build up an effective online methodology that will pull in both business and top up-and-comers? For some understanding, we asked the specialists at CKR Interactive, an honor winning one of the biggest enrollment promoting offices. CKR Interactive was established in 2001 in the core of Silicon Valley. For a long time running, it has been named to Inc.s rundown of quickest developing private US organizations. The organization was a victor at the 2012 Creative Excellence Awards. Beast: How can littler organizations with restricted time and assets copy the online networking systems of bigger organizations? CKR: There are a ton of chances for littler organizations with constrained time and assets to actualize web based enrolling and showcasing best practices. While its imperative to not hop into online networking without an arrangement set up, and thought for the measure of time web based life requires for progressing support must be set up. Internet based life offers an amazing road to fabricate your image by means of fortifying and mindfulness, network the executives, forthcoming up-and-comers and referrals, and offers phenomenal site improvement (SEO) benefits also. Its not actually a free road for web based showcasing, as it requires assets in the methods for time, yet its something everybody ought to be exploiting. Content showcasing utilizing components, for example, articles, white papers, and so forth likewise helps in growing brand mindfulness on the web and can be created efficiently. Video is another great web based showcasing device that doesnt essentially must be delivered at an over the top cost (in spite of the fact that organizations will need to screen the last quality, as the video will be illustrative of the organization and the companys voice). Beast: How can a vocation site help the activity searcher choose if the organization is an ideal choice for them? CKR: At CKR we accept that a vocation site should concentrate on the planned applicant: Exhibit whats in it for the applicant. What conceivable profession ways are accessible. What are the genuine culture and objectives of the organization. Help get rid of competitors who are not an incredible fit for your organization (however make it simple for them to impart data and occupations to their system, should they know somebody who is a certified applicant). Beast: What plan standards ought to be remembered when structuring an organization site as well as profession site? CKR: The most significant structure standards to remember when building up a site of any sort are: Make it open Make it simple to utilize Time and again, organizations will go over the edge with structure components and glimmer, in endeavors to wow their guests who rather find that their site is presently delayed to stack, not generally perceptible by their guests and presumably not intriguing them either. Beast: What different standards ought to be remembered when structuring an organization site? CKR: You have to place yourself in your crowds shoes and consider what they need. Your site should be an asset to them, not only a business apparatus to force your promoting on them. In the event that a guest doesnt promptly find what theyre searching for on your webpage, theyll rapidly look somewhere else, so you have to make the website straightforward and explore, just as follow web availability rules with the goal that everybody can get to your website, regardless of what programs, media players, gadgets, or inabilities are included. Learnmore: New Trends in Online Recruiting Strategies Your Company Website: What Does it Say to Job Seekers? Get your Company Profile Moving! 6 Tips for Effective Video Marketing

Expert Advice on Creating an Online Marketing Strategy

Master Advice on Creating an Online Marketing Strategy Master Advice on Creating an Online Marketing Strategy Master Advice on Creating an Online Marketing Strategy Blaszczyk, Managing Editor, Resource Center By what method can your independent venture build up an effective online methodology that will pull in both business and top up-and-comers? For some understanding, we asked the specialists at CKR Interactive, an honor winning one of the biggest enrollment promoting offices. CKR Interactive was established in 2001 in the core of Silicon Valley. For a long time running, it has been named to Inc.s rundown of quickest developing private US organizations. The organization was a victor at the 2012 Creative Excellence Awards. Beast: How can littler organizations with restricted time and assets copy the online networking systems of bigger organizations? CKR: There are a ton of chances for littler organizations with constrained time and assets to actualize web based enrolling and showcasing best practices. While its imperative to not hop into online networking without an arrangement set up, and thought for the measure of time web based life requires for progressing support must be set up. Internet based life offers an amazing road to fabricate your image by means of fortifying and mindfulness, network the executives, forthcoming up-and-comers and referrals, and offers phenomenal site improvement (SEO) benefits also. Its not actually a free road for web based showcasing, as it requires assets in the methods for time, yet its something everybody ought to be exploiting. Content showcasing utilizing components, for example, articles, white papers, and so forth likewise helps in growing brand mindfulness on the web and can be created efficiently. Video is another great web based showcasing device that doesnt essentially must be delivered at an over the top cost (in spite of the fact that organizations will need to screen the last quality, as the video will be illustrative of the organization and the companys voice). Beast: How can a vocation site help the activity searcher choose if the organization is an ideal choice for them? CKR: At CKR we accept that a vocation site should concentrate on the planned applicant: Exhibit whats in it for the applicant. What conceivable profession ways are accessible. What are the genuine culture and objectives of the organization. Help get rid of competitors who are not an incredible fit for your organization (however make it simple for them to impart data and occupations to their system, should they know somebody who is a certified applicant). Beast: What plan standards ought to be remembered when structuring an organization site as well as profession site? CKR: The most significant structure standards to remember when building up a site of any sort are: Make it open Make it simple to utilize Time and again, organizations will go over the edge with structure components and glimmer, in endeavors to wow their guests who rather find that their site is presently delayed to stack, not generally perceptible by their guests and presumably not intriguing them either. Beast: What different standards ought to be remembered when structuring an organization site? CKR: You have to place yourself in your crowds shoes and consider what they need. Your site should be an asset to them, not only a business apparatus to force your promoting on them. In the event that a guest doesnt promptly find what theyre searching for on your webpage, theyll rapidly look somewhere else, so you have to make the website straightforward and explore, just as follow web availability rules with the goal that everybody can get to your website, regardless of what programs, media players, gadgets, or inabilities are included. Learnmore: New Trends in Online Recruiting Strategies Your Company Website: What Does it Say to Job Seekers? Get your Company Profile Moving! 6 Tips for Effective Video Marketing